Stringent security measures as UK prepares to welcome 2016

193-a-09-(Megan Duncan, spectator, with AP correspondent Warren Levinson)-“it or not”-Megan Duncan, visiting from Orlando, says she’s always wanted to see the New Year’s Eve ball drope in Times Square”.

With few exceptions, New Year’s celebrations have been taking place as usual around the world – despite concerns about terrorism, and despite a raging fire in a luxury high-rise in Dubai.

New Year’s Eve is Japan’s biggest holiday, and millions crammed into trains to flee the cities for their hometowns to slurp down bowls of noodles, symbolising longevity, while watching the annual Red and White NHK song competition. The man was taken to Waverley Police Station and will likely be charged with public mischief, police said.

In the Gaza Strip, the Islamist Hamas rulers of the Palestinian enclave have banned New Year celebrations, saying they go against Islamic teachings.

Horns sounded and crowds cheered as the tower was then lit up with fireworks, with colours changing from green to red to white.

Security was tight across Australia, with thousands of extra police officers patrolling the country’s major cities.

Thousands of people, including North Korean refugees, were expected to gather at a town near the border with North Korea to watch one of the ceremonies and wish for unification between the two nations.

South Koreans traditionally mark New Year’s Eve with bell ringing ceremonies, fireworks and outdoor music and dance performances.

The fireworks display is to help children in danger around the world like those affected by the conflict in Syria, according to the Mayor of London.

Major celebrations marked by fireworks spectaculars are planned in London, Edinburgh and other big cities despite a terror threat judged to be “severe”.

The New Year’s Eve fireworks display, jointly held by the Mayor of London and UNICEF, will start at midnight Friday on the Thames River opposite the Houses of Parliament, and is expected to attract around 100,000 audience on the site.

Dubai’s economy depends heavily on tourism, and New Year’s is one of the busiest seasons, drawing people from around the world to watch the fireworks that the emirate puts on at the world’s tallest tower, as well as the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab and over a man-made palm-shaped island.

As 2015 drew to a close, Parisians reflected on a tumultuous and violent year that saw a number of extremist attacks across the country.

The festivities were cancelled by mayor Yvan Mayeur, who said on Wednesday evening it would have been impossible to administer adequate security checks to all of the 100,000 people expected to attend.

Brussels authorities have cancelled the traditional firework show which was to take place in the central Place de Brouckere.

Police advised revelers not to come to the fireworks display without a ticket and to be ready to have their belongings searched. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY Fireworks explode in the sky during New Year celebrations in Sofia, Bulgaria on January 1, 2016.

“People who are in London tonight will probably see more police officers visible, including firearm officers, but that’s been the case since those terrible attacks in Paris”.